Darjeeling Information

Like Tea, cinchona plantation is contributing to the mainstream economy of Darjeeling nowadays. First commenced in 1861-62, the establishment of a cinchona nursery in Darjeeling was first suggested , by Dr. Anderson. With a hope for greatest success, the proposal was accepted and a summit of Senchal in the midst of dense forest is selected for the plantation of cinchona. However, the harsh climate of Senchal led government to move in a garden at Lebong, a warm, well sheltered spur below Darjeeling in 1863. The height of the area was 6,000 feet above the sea. Later, a permanent plantation space was found at 12 miles southeast from Darjeeling, in the Rangjo valley at Rangbi.

Nowadays, different species of cinchona are cultivated extensively, which contain quinine and allied febrifuge alkaloids in their bark. Originally, the plantation was started with hundred plants at an elevation of about 4,000 feet. However, within three years there were nearly three million trees in existence, most of which were Cinchona succirubra.

In 1868-70 Dr. Anderson proposed for the manufacture at the Rangbi plantation of a cheap and powerful febrifuge, which can be effectively used in native hospitals and charitable dispensaries, by taking out the cinchona alkaloids from the bark. However, till 1887, only cinchona febrifuge was manufactured, but the quality of quinine it produced was very poor. Therefore, Dr. King, in 1880 proposed planting of those cinchona species, which are quinine-yielding. These species were high-yielding crops and in due course, the scientists executed a number of experiments to create natural hybrid between Cinchona succirubra and Cinchona officinalis. Gradually the production seemed extremely profitable with over 3,000,000 of yellow bark and hybrid to one and a half million of red bark trees in 1890, while in 1880 there were only 4,000,000 red bark trees. Early 20^th century came with the production of over 2 million yellow bark and hybrid to 200,000 red bark trees.

Presently, Darjeeling is one of the notable contributors of Cinchona and quinine in the world market.

The hilly tract of Darjeeling is widely known for offering a multitude of farming options. Among the various kinds of plantations like, tea, teak, cinchona and many others, flower cultivation has carved a well-coveted place in the economy of Darjeeling. The cold humid weather of Darjeeling offers a favorable physical condition for cultivating a multitude of flowering plants species. However, when it comes to floriculture in Darjeeling, the first thing comes to the mind is orchid cultivation. Since years, Darjeeling hills are the natural home for countless orchid species like Cymbidiums, Vandas, Dendrobiums, Paphiopedilums, Lycaste, Odontoglossum, Phaius, Arundina and many other unusual species.

In the past several decades, floriculture was all the rage in the nurseries of Kalimpong area. The involvement in the floricultural activities led the nurseries of Kalimpong developing their own techniques in tissue culture propagation of orchids and other related floricultural plants. Presently, four nurseries are engaged in the activities of propagation in Kalimpong.

Floriculture has started to be a significant part of Darjeeling’s economy, when a large amount of floriculture exports has started to contribute in the mainstream economy, like tea and tourism. According to the statistical reports, floriculture exports from these hills started 5-6 decade back.

With enormous scope in the present multi-million dollar floriculture industry, these hills are becoming a great contributor of flower and plant species. The hills form the natural habitat for the largest number of plant species in the world till date. Therefore, this region naturally has enormous potential.

According to the floriculture trends in the global market today, these hills now have limitless scope for production of Gladioli cut flowers to cater to the increasing demand of both the domestic as well as the export market. Flower cutting and trading started here, over three decades back. Apart from Gladioli, a number other flowers are also available for cutting these days. Among the other flowers, mention can be made of anthuriums and Orchids particularly Cymbidiums, bulbous flowers of lilies, ornithogalum and other attractive flowers like gerberas, carnations and green species like ferns etc.

56 km from Kalimpong, and situated at an altitude of 5500ft, Kanchenjunga, is draped with colorful flowers of different species. The panoramic view of the region is perhaps the most exquisite scenery, which can quench your desire to absorb nature in Darjeeling. The quixotic view of floriculture along the hilly tract of Darjeeling also makes a wonderful tourist getaway.

Tea industry offers not only a significant part of Darjeeling’s economy but also garners Darjeeling a worldwide fame. The aroma and taste of the authentic Darjeeling tea makes people buy it no matter how much money he needs to spend for that. Tea industry is one of the traditional heritages owed by Darjeeling and today there are a total of 78 tea estates in the hills, which have attained the status to be qualified as “Darjeeling Tea” for its produce by the Tea Board of India. “Darjeeling Tea” today is the brand and the estates cover over 17,500 hectares producing over 9 million kg of tea in India. Tea industry in Darjeeling has engaged about 50 percent people of the district.

The Darjeeling Tea industry today provides a steady livelihood and other facilities like housing, statutory benefits, allowances, incentives, crèches for infants of working mothers, children’s education, integrated residential medical facilities for employees and their families and many more.

The first trial plantation of Tea seeds started with planting seeds at a high altitude of 700 ft. by Dr. A. Campbell, during the British Raj in 1845. That time, an experimental nursery was set up in Darjeeling by the Government. With the success of the trial run, the Government planted a nursery at Lebong in 1847.

Tea plantations in Darjeeling although started in the small area initially, later it was extended in the Kurseong area as well. However, it was not extended anymore after Kurseong. Till date the tea cultivation is restricted to Darjeeling and Kurseong sub-divisions only.

Nowadays, tea is grown at an altitude ranging from 600 to 2000 meters above mean sea level and requires a minimum of 50″ to 60″ of rainfall in a year. The cold humid climate, the soil, the rainfall and the gradually slopping terrains all provide ideal physical conditions to impart Darjeeling tea, its unique “Muscatel flavor” and “Exquisite Banquet”. Such a distinctive and unique climate offers Darjeeling unparalleled favorable condition that any other parts of the world in producing tea. Darjeeling tea has well-coveted affluence in Western and Japanese markets. Every year, Darjeeling’s economy is benefited 80% of the total tea exports.

Stiff following the original methods of tea manufacture, known as the “Orthodox” tea manufacture, Darjeeling has retained its inherent tradition till date. Unlike “C.T.C.” type of manufacture adopted in the plains, now.(C.T.C. stands for Curling, Tearing & Crushing), Darjeeling’s ‘Organic tea’ has a worldwide fame. For manufacturing organic tea, the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is completely prohibited. “Darjeeling Tea” stands for the hallmark of excellence.

Darjeeling is the peaceful abode of a lot of endangered species on this earth. The same is true when it comes to salamanders, the rarest and the oldest specie of amphibian found on this earth. These oldest creatures are found extensively in the hills of Darjeeling. Scientifically known as Tylotrotriton verracocsus, nowadays it’s on the verge of total extinction from the face of the earth.  However, since 1964 at Jorepokhri, 19 km from Darjeeling, these creatures are living, although their population density is very low. This Himalayan Salamander is primitive and highly endangered species.

Salamanders found in the Himalayan region have rough skin, with a total measurement of 160 mm to 170mm in its adulthood. Restricted to the Eastern Himalayas mainly, these species thrive well in an elevation of 4000ft to 8000ft in the mountainous region.

Featured with a plethora of natural ponds and muddy marshlands Darjeeling is the ideal place for mating and breeding of Salamander. They lay eggs in the marshy land or ponds, which gradually develops into tadpoles. Initially they breathe through their gills like fishes and stay in the water till the lungs are not fully developed and functional. After the lungs developed fully, salamanders can have extensive area for food availability. To avoid cold weather in the Darjeeling Hills, they take shelter in the warmer places like crevices, tree roots, big boulders, during the months of late September to May. After the long hibernation in the winters, it starts coming out at the beginning of the monsoon season. During this season, they congregate in ponds for mating and breeding purpose. Aquatic vegetations, insects, smaller earthworms etc are their favorite foods.

In their adulthood, it loses its aquatic character like the gills, dorsal fins and continues breathing with lungs, strong legs, rough skin etc. The wart appears on their body surface are granular glands, which helps in producing an acrid fluid on stimulation. It acts as a deterrent to predators.

However, their natural habitat is on the way of extinction due to the clearing of forest and building up agricultural land and factories. However, some necessary measures have been adopted by the government to provide alternative habitat to the salamanders. Without natural habitat, the species will succumb totally and that will definite affect the balance of our ecosystem.